Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport: Michelin’s new CrossClimate 3 Sport brings all-season versatility with a sporty edge, but can it really take on the Pilot Sport 5, a purebred UHP summer tire built for maximum grip? It’s a clash of adaptability versus specialization—year-round confidence against peak summer performance. Which trade-off matters more?
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Results: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport
The results presented here are from the Auto Motor Sport Michelin Summer vs All Season Test, where 4 Michelin tire models were selected. The accompanying graph provides a side-by-side comparison of the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport across various performance categories, with the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 serving as the benchmark at 100%.
The tire size of interest is the 225/40R18 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the BMW 3 series Audi A4. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The tests were conducted using a standard Volkswagen Golf GTI as the test vehicle.
Wet
In wet braking, the Pilot Sport 5 stops in 30.8 meters while the CrossClimate 3 Sport takes 34.7 meters, a 3.9 meter gap or about 11% longer. In wet handling, the Pilot Sport 5 laps the course in 97.41 seconds compared to the CrossClimate 3 Sport’s 104.13 seconds, a 6.72 second difference or about 6% slower.
Overall, the Pilot Sport 5 clearly holds the upper hand in wet performance, showing sharper grip and quicker control, while the CrossClimate 3 Sport trades some wet capability for its all-season versatility.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- -11% in wet braking
- -6% in wet handling
Dry
In dry braking, the Pilot Sport 5 stops in 36.8 meters while the CrossClimate 3 Sport needs 38.4 meters, a 1.6 meter gap or about 4% longer. In dry handling, the Pilot Sport 5 completes the lap in 76.9 seconds compared to 78.84 seconds for the CrossClimate 3 Sport, a 1.94 second gap or around 2% slower.
The Pilot Sport 5 once again shows its edge in precision and grip, while the CrossClimate 3 Sport remains surprisingly close but cannot quite match the outright dry performance of a dedicated summer tire.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- -4% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling
Rolling Resistance
Based on an inter extrapolation of other available test results, the CrossClimate 3 Sport shows about 18% lower rolling resistance than the Pilot Sport 5. This suggests the all-season tire is more energy-efficient, even if it doesn’t quite match the outright grip of the UHP summer tire.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- +18% in rolling resistance
Mileage
Based on UTQG values as an estimation, the Pilot Sport 5 is expected to last roughly twice as long as the CrossClimate 3 Sport.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- Pilot Sport 5 >> CrossClimate 3 Sport
Winter
Even without dedicated winter testing, it’s clear from estimation that the CrossClimate 3 Sport would utterly outclass the Pilot Sport 5 in winter conditions.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- CrossClimate 3 Sport >> Pilot Sport 5
Price
In size 225/40 R18, the Pilot Sport 5 costs €120 while the CrossClimate 3 Sport is priced at €138, making the CrossClimate 15% more expensive.
Tire size: 225/40 R18
- Pilot Sport 5 : € 120
- CrossClimate 3 Sport : € 138
Difference: +15% more expensive for CrossClimate 3 Sport.
Summary
The Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport brings true year-round usability with solid performance, making it a strong contender in the all-season sport segment. We were surprised at how close the dry performances were, though the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 still delivers the sharper edge in both wet and dry grip. The UHP summer tire remains a clear step ahead, but the gap is narrowing fast as Michelin’s all-season sport option continues to close in.
Dr Edwin Pang